What makes someone smell like mothballs

Skatole is not one of the major contributors of bad breath, but can add to it, and the smell can resemble that of mothballs. One of the easiest fixes to bad breath is making sure you brush and floss the recommended amount every day.

This can help remove some of those bacteria found in your mouth and might help improve your breath. As part of your daily routine remember to also brush your tongue, to clear any bacteria that might be growing there. Coffee breath occurs because of certain compounds in coffee. Halitosis is the technical term for bad breath. Learn more about what can cause it, as well as potential treatments. To understand why wake-up sex counts as sex in some instances but assault in others, you'll need a lesson in consent.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Causes of breath that smells like mothballs. Remedies for breath that smells like mothballs. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Chlorophyll: The Cure for Bad Breath? How to Get Rid of Coffee Breath. You might have a lung disease. Katz—could be a sign of a lung problem ranging from an infection like pneumonia to cancer. Interestingly, breath tests designed to identify the odors associated with cancer are currently in the works.

If you suspect you might have any problem with your lungs, see your doctor for an exam. After listening with a stethoscope, she might refer you for blood work, a chest X-ray, or other tests. United States. Type keyword s to search. These two elements mean that VSCs can be breathed out in considerable volumes, making for malodorous breath. While ketones tend to smell quite rich and fruity akin to nail polish , some dieters have found that their breath comes to resemble the smell of mothballs.

Less commonly, some kidney conditions are known to cause halitosis. Heavy drinkers, in particular, may be impacted by this potential cause. While acid reflux GERD most commonly makes its presence felt in the form of a sour or bitter taste in the mouth thanks to the improper placement of stomach acids there is some evidence to suggest that GERD may also be a causal factor in mothball breath. Elements such as onions and garlic, or spicy foods like curry, can all have a significant impact on the breath.

Add to this daily scraping of your tongue, where many sulphur-producing bacteria are to be found. Lastly be sure to use an effective anti-bacterial mouth rinse which will fight the bacterial load in your mouth. This is in contrast to standard deodorising mouth rinses which simply mask the smell; instead treat the root cause with a product such as UltraDEX Daily Oral Rinse. If you suffer from mothball breath it is a wise idea to consult your local dentist for a check-up.

Your dentist will be able to check for any issues — such as minor tooth decay or tartar — and propose effective solutions. Due to the fact that many potential causes of mothball breath are health-related — such as sinus infections or kidney problems — it also pays to visit your General Practitioner. Have you changed your diet recently? For example, have you switched to a calorie-reduced diet or have you begun to enjoy more spicy foods as of late?

If so, consider eliminating these factors one-by-one to see if your mothball breath goes away in time. The sulphur-producing bacteria which give off unpleasant odours are naturally kept under control by your saliva. The pH of this helps to fight the build-up, and so keep your breath fresh during the day. So keep a bottle with you at all times and aim to keep yourself properly hydrated throughout the day. Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes can also help to keep the mouth properly lubricated.

One final trick, which not only improves salivary flow but also provides a pleasant masking effect, is to consider the use of gum or mint. Alternatively consider the use of a breath spray or mouthrinse sachet which can be discretely kept in a pocket or bag. Note, however, that masking your mothball breath should only be considered a short-term solution; we would advise you to seek the appropriate medical advice to help deal with the root cause of the problem.

Causes of Mothball Breath There is no single cause of mothball breath; instead it may be caused by a range of different issues. Here are some of the most common causes: Poor Oral Hygiene Mothball breath may be caused by bacteria in the mouth.